Orioles are nicked up ... just like everybody else

Peter SchmuckThe Baltimore Sun

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn’t make a lot of excuses, so you’re not going to hear him spend a lot of time complaining about injuries at this time of year. Every team that is advancing to the postseason has its share of bumps and bruises and the Orioles are not the exception.

It’s still fair to point out, however, that Adam Jones played in his 162nd game on Wednesday night in spite of a sore, swollen ankle that he insists isn’t, and Mark Reynolds played several innings with a badly bruised left foot after fouling a ball off it.

Reynolds couldn’t be sure he didn’t break something, so he underwent x-rays after the game. They turned out to be negative and you can bet he will be in the lineup Friday night when the Orioles try to beat the Texas Rangers in the American League’s sudden-death wild-card round and win a place in the Division Series.

Probably more significant are the knee problems plaguing pitchers Jason Hammel and Steve Johnson. Both are wearing braces, and both still could get the call to start postseason games. It’s just that time of year.